Silent Chernobyl: Dry Aral Sea has made Central Asia dustier, with impacts on global climate, says study

Not only does the dust of the Aralkum Desert left in place of the Aral endanger residents, it also can accelerate the melting of glaciers …

Wine production crossing the Channel & more: Study captures changing geography of vineyards due to climate change

In Asia, Himalayas predicted to see more growth in wine production, along with Pamirs  

Rigged or not, polls the only option for Pakistan

While there are allegations of it being fixed, as a constitutional exercise it is preferable compared to the alternative which is martial law  

Could bird flu lead to the next pandemic?

The first case of H5N1 bird flu was reported in Australia this week. Is the world prepared for what could lead to the next pandemic?  

Bangladesh scarred by Super Cyclone Amphan even after four years, with displaced people still refugees & land uncultivable

Affected people are living in dire straits of housing and employment

Thailand poised to become first Southeast Asian country to legalise same-sex marriage

If upper house of parliament approves marriage equality bill, Thailand will be third Asian one to legalise gay marriage

South Asian cities need action on air pollution before next winter

Stringent measures, raising public awareness and promoting regional collaboration need of the hour

Study links climate change with wheat blast; warns crop yield could drop by 75% in South America, Africa by 2050

Wheat blast-prone locations could increase due to climate impact; global wheat production could drop by 13%

International Women’s Day 2024: How much unpaid labour do women take on in Asia-Pacific?

Meta asked Facebook users in 2021 how many hours they spent each day on unpaid domestic or care work   

UN warns surge of preventable child deaths in Gaza as malnutrition levels spike

1 in 6 children under the age of 2 is acutely malnourished

CMS COP14: Action plans for African-Eurasian migratory landbirds, other avian species adopted

India and Bangladesh submit joint proposal to list Indian skimmer under the CMS

CMS COP14: Expect listing of new species, action plans for conservation at Samarkand summit

Parties are expected to discuss draft to protect and conserve number of species and their habitats  

Hindu Kush Himalaya is a ‘biosphere on the brink’: ICIMOD

‘It is almost too late’ to stem losses in nature and habitat in the HKH region, says organisation at meeting in Kathmandu

Whooping cough cases outbreak reported around the world

China, Australia, Spain among countries with high number of patients with the respiratory infection

Gaza Strip: UN warns of increased death & despair as Israel intensifies attack on Rafah

UN Women survey finds 93% women report feelings of insecurity even within their own homes

Asia-Pacific region 32 years behind 2030 target on achieving SDGs: UNESCAP

None of SDGs can be achieved by 2030; all targets under climate action goal (SDG 13) off-track, some even regressing

War’s toll on women: UN Women report sheds light on Gaza’s water, sanitation and hygiene crisis

Over a million women and girls lack basic necessities like safe drinking water, functioning toilets and sanitary pads

Everything that happened at CMS COP14

New initiatives to address threats of zoonotic diseases, protecting natural areas for migratory species introduced at summit

COP28 recap: 5 insider highlights from negotiation rooms of Global Stocktake text

The two-week long battle of negotiations saw many competing priorities from countries influencing the text